Drama Students Bring Ancient Greek Play Into 21st Century

Year 10 Acting students from Birmingham Ormiston Academy will be making their debut at The Old Rep this week in A Greek Chorus Line. These innovative students have adapted Sophocles’ Antigone from a traditional Greek tragedy into a modernised and often comical play, changing the script themselves and assisted by professional director Tom Saunders. 

Antigone will be performed as A Greek Chorus Line at The Old Rep on 8 and 9 July. Director Tom Saunders from Merseyside, is currently the Senior Youth Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and has previously worked with Birmingham Ormiston Academy on productions including Heartbreak Beautiful and Hamlet/Macbeth. 

Tom commented: 
“Antigone is great, it’s their own piece of work and I’m really happy with it. Although I am the director, the students have contributed a huge amount and have really made it their own!”

The energy and excitement of these students is admirable, and guaranteed to transfer from the rehearsal to the stage. The students have adapted the traditional Greek chorus from a group of old men to a gang of youth, making the play easier to relate to. As half of the chorus are female, A Greek Chorus Line has a very strong message to deliver about gender equality and the role of women both in Ancient Greece and in society today. 

A Greek Chorus Line will be performed at The Old Rep on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July, at 7pm. Tickets are just £7 for adults, with concessions available at £5. For further information, or to book tickets, call the Box Office on 0121 359 9444, or visit oldreptheatre.co.uk (online booking fees apply).